Pakistan must target terror groups: US

After External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's speech at the United Nations General Assembly, the US has said that Pakistan needs to target all terror groups, including those that target neighbouring countries.

In her speech, Swaraj had asked the world to act against countries harbouring terrorists.

"Our focus with Pakistan is to enhance their capability, as I just said, to deal with a terrorist threat on their soil," US State Department Deputy spokesperson Mark Toner said in his press briefing in Washington.

"They're fighting a serious and sustained campaign against violent extremism," he said.

"We do believe that they're making progress, that they're taking steps to counter terrorist violence, but at the same time we've been very clear that they need to target all militant groups, including those that target Pakistan's neighbours, and close all safe havens."

Comments came after the Uri terror attack that claimed the lives of 18 soldiers.

India has blamed the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed terror outfit for the attack.

Toner also called for normalisation of India-Pakistan relations adding there was "no zero-sum game" in the region.

"I think our longstanding position is that we believe India and Pakistan really stand to benefit from the normalisation of relations between them and practical cooperation between them, and we encourage both India and Pakistan to pursue and engage in direct dialogue that is aimed at reducing tensions," he said.